Putin highlights decline in trade with Ukraine

Russian Prime Minster Vladimir Putin drew attention on Thursday to a "very big" slump in trade turnover with neighbor Ukraine.

"A crisis is, of course a crisis," Putin said after talks with Ukrainian Prime Minster Yulia Tymoshenko in Ukraine's Black Sea resort of Yalta. "It affects both Ukraine and Russia, and virtually the whole world. But we have seen a very large slump in trade turnover with Ukraine."

Putin also pointed out that trade turnover with Ukraine had fallen to less than $15 billion from $25 billion. Trade with Belarus is now $16 billion, the Russian premier said.

"Ukraine has let in Belarus, which has taken first place as Russia's trade-economic partner," he said.

"We have gathered here at a difficult time to take a look at where we have missed opportunities, where we have prospects, and what we need to do to not only return to previous levels, but exceed them," he went on.

YALTA, November 19 (RIA Novosti)